From November 5th to November 10th, China will host a global trade convention designed to encourage international partnership and cooperation with foreign businesses.

The China International Import Expo (CIIE) convention, is part of the ongoing Belt and Road Initiative - an economic partnership between countries linking Europe, Asia and Oceania - first proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013; though countries outside the initiative are welcome to participate as well. 

The expo will be held at Shanghai's National Exhibition and Convention Center, offering a sprawling area of over 200,000 square meters of space to host the colossal gathering. Activities to be offered include seminars, supply-demand matchmaking, and product releases. 

The exhibition has attracted its fair share of attention from other countries. Already 2,000 companies have secured a spot at the expo, and another 150,000 professional buyers are expected to attend, hailing from over 100 countries across the globe. Recognizing the potential difficulties of having such a massive influx of visitors crossing the border, the CIIE will arrange lodging and transportation for the attendees, as well as facilitate their passage through customs. 

Many countries attending the expo display an interest in cooperating with Chinese businesses. Both French President Emmanuel Macron and French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe have visited China in the past 6 months, and the number of Sino-French business partnerships has exponentially increased in recent years. A number of French brand names will be making an appearance at the expo, including Airbus and L’Oréal, and many French companies that are unable to attend this year’s expo have already signed up for the 2019 CIIE. 

Australia has also shown strong interest in China’s market. After signing the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) in 2015, Australia, whose economy is rooted in the agricultural and energy industries, has seen a dramatic change in the trade dynamic between the two countries. Australia's presence at the expo is expected to reduce the cost of conducting trade in China, as well as seal deals that will mutually benefit its signatories. Former Australian minister for trade and investment, Andrew Robb, sees the issue of water pollution in China as a possible source of partnership, stating that some of China’s water “has been polluted to varying degrees”, but Australia's world-renowned water management corporations can “help control and eliminate pollution”.

Large US brand names, including Dell and Johnson & Johnson, are also expected to make an appearance at the event. Tesla, who has recently announced plans to open a car manufacturing plant in Shanghai, will promote its Models S, X, and 3 cars at the expo. A.O. Smith, the largest water heater production company in North America, will showcase its water heaters and purifiers, while tech empire Microsoft plans to unveil its newest designs, among them Hololens—an augmented reality headset.

For any country, hosting a business expo on such a large scale is a daunting feat. But for China especially, the convention holds symbolic value and is indicative of the nation's attempt to globalize its economy—a task it began in the late 70's during Deng Xiaoping's presidency. The country took a major step toward becoming a member of the international community in 2001 when it joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), with who China has teamed up to host the expo. Since its decision to end its economic conservatism. China’s GDP volume has exploded and it now rests as the second largest in the world. The expo is an effort to continue China’s integration into the global economy, while allowing foreign nations the chance to take advantage of its rapidly expanding market. 

Cooperation and shared success are heavily emphasized themes within China’s quest for economic liberalization. “In the face of both opportunities and challenges of economic globalization, the right thing to do is to seize every opportunity, jointly meet challenges and chart the right course for economic globalization,” said President Xi Jinping in his keynote speech at the 2017 World Economic Forum. “We are not jealous of others’ success; and we will not complain about others who have benefited so much from the great opportunities presented by China’s development,” he added, his rhetoric reassuring countries that no underlying intentions are present, simply the attempt to forge mutually beneficial trade agreements.

In 15th century China, the emperor placed a ban on all foreign trade and travel, beginning the country’s road to isolation. Today, China invites buyers, politicians, and business representatives from the four corners of the world to come and take part in a global initiative to foster economic prosperity. As Xi Jinping simply put it, “China will keep its door wide open and not close it.”